Improvement in hitching apparatus



J.M. GATNBR. Hitch-.lng App Matus..

` No. 200,256. Patented Feu-12,1878.

nNvENToR Y* WL (QJ/CG@ RNavs 'NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES M. CATNER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN HITCHING APPARATUS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 200,256, dated February l2, 187 B application filed January 13, 1878.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES M. CATNER, of Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hitching Devices; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to a hitching device for hitching horses, and is adapted either for attachment to a post or to the pavement, or may be equally well applied to secure the end of a clothes-line, or other device, when it is desired there shall be a free motion in one direction of the line or strap, while motion in the opposite direction is prevented.

The object of my invention is to furnish a device to which a strap or rope may be attached easily and quickly, and at the same time securely.

My invention consists of a case through which the rope or strap is to be passed, and at the same time secured by a cam-lever bearing against a preferably corrugated seat, made of rubber or other flexible material.

In the drawings, Figure l represents, in two sectional views, a hitching-post with my improvement attached. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same, showing how the ropes or strap may pass free of the weighted lever.

A represents the case, that may be made of any shape or size that fancy may dictate. B represents a eamlever, suspended eceentrieally by the axle or bolt d. b represents the enlargement of the lever at its outer end, to give weight to force the grooved cam b' downward against the strap or rope at a point opposite the corrugated base C. C represents a seat, preferably corrugated to resist the bearing of the grooved portion of the cam b', and may be made of rubber or other suitable material.

My invention works as follows: The strap or rope S is passed into the case A at the opening D, thence, by raising the weight b, between the base C and the grooved portion of the cam -lever b' the required distance. When the weight b is liberated the grooved cam b' is forced firmly against the rope or strap, and the rope or strap is then held securely by the weight b between the cam and its seat, and cannot be liberated until the weight Z1 is raised, when the strap or rope' left entirely open; but I prefer the case, especially for the purpose of excluding rain, snow, and ice, which might render an open-cased apparatus liable to become inoperative.

The base C, being of rubber or flexible, readily yields, and prevents liability to cut or wear the strap or rope. Moreover, it gives a firmer bite upon the strap, thus adding tothe reliability of the fastening.

A spring might be employed, as shown in one of the two views of Fig. l, for forcing the cam against the seat C.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patenti v1. In a hitching device adapted -to automatically lock the strap against withdrawal, the combination, with the serrated eam-lever, of the independent base-piece, made of rubber or similar iiexible material, the same being thereby adapted to cause the strap to be closely engaged between the two without injury to it, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the cam-lever, provided with a weight or ball formation at its free end, of the close case, in which it is eccentrically pivoted, said ease being adapted to protect the parts from the weather, and formed with an independent base, of rubber or similar flexible material, between which latter and the cam of the lever the strap may be secured, substantially as set forth.

3. In a hitching device adapted to automatically lock the strap against withdrawal, the spring-pressed cam-lever, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES M. OATNER.

Witnesses: v

F. Tourner, W. E. DONNELLY. 

